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Former China envoys call on Xi Jinping to release two detained Canadianshttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/21/former-china-envoys-call-on-xi-jinping-to-release-two-detained-canadians
<p>Open letter says the arrests mean diplomats are more cautious about work in China</p><p>More than 140 former diplomats and leading China experts have called on Xi Jinping to release two Canadian citizens detained last month as a diplomatic stand-off between Ottawa and Beijing escalates.</p><p>In an open letter Chinese president, former envoys to China from Canada, the UK, the US, Australia, Germany, Sweden and Mexico described how the arrests of Michael Kovrig, a Canadian diplomat on leave, and Michael Spavor, a businessman, have sent a chill through the diplomatic community.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/15/china-canada-trudeau-strong-dissatisfaction-detained-man">China expresses 'strong dissatisfaction' with Trudeau as countries spar</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/21/former-china-envoys-call-on-xi-jinping-to-release-two-detained-canadians">Continue reading...</a>ChinaAsia PacificWorld newsXi JinpingCanadaJustin TrudeauAmericasHuman rightsMon, 21 Jan 2019 17:10:21 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/21/former-china-envoys-call-on-xi-jinping-to-release-two-detained-canadiansPhotograph: Mark Schiefelbein/APPhotograph: Mark Schiefelbein/APLily Kuo in Beijing and Leyland Cecco in Toronto2019-01-21T17:10:21ZDavos 2019: Attenborough warns we have a decade to solve climate, or we're doomed - live!https://www.theguardian.com/business/blog/live/2019/jan/21/chinese-growth-lowest-in-28-years-as-davos-gets-under-way-business-live
<p>World Economic Forum is recognising work of broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, conductor Marin Alsop and filmmaker Haifaa Al-Mansour</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/blog/live/2019/jan/21/chinese-growth-lowest-in-28-years-as-davos-gets-under-way-business-live?page=with:block-5c461791e4b0197a614f7838#block-5c461791e4b0197a614f7838">Attenborough: We’re running out of time...</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/blog/live/2019/jan/21/chinese-growth-lowest-in-28-years-as-davos-gets-under-way-business-live?page=with:block-5c46012ae4b0197a614f7763#block-5c46012ae4b0197a614f7763">Latest: Attenborough warns that the holecene era is over</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/blog/live/2019/jan/21/chinese-growth-lowest-in-28-years-as-davos-gets-under-way-business-live?page=with:block-5c45faade4b0197a614f76ee#block-5c45faade4b0197a614f76ee">Sir David Attenborough to collect WEF award</a><br></li><li>Marin Alsop and Haifaa Al-Mansour also honoured</li></ul><p>Earlier:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/blog/live/2019/jan/21/chinese-growth-lowest-in-28-years-as-davos-gets-under-way-business-live?page=with:block-5c45c202e4b0197a614f73a3#block-5c45c202e4b0197a614f73a3">IMF cuts growth forecasts as Davos begins</a><br></li><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/blog/live/2019/jan/21/chinese-growth-lowest-in-28-years-as-davos-gets-under-way-business-live?page=with:block-5c45c4dfe4b00173154a8602#block-5c45c4dfe4b00173154a8602">Lagarde: Risks are increasing</a><br></li></ul><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T19:36:39.896Z">7.36pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sir David says we have to "think about things that are difficult and things that are painful" otherwise there will be "more pain" around the corner <a href="https://t.co/MBP8YJ8YFW">pic.twitter.com/MBP8YJ8YFW</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T19:23:19.054Z">7.23pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><em>Q: Can you get your message across at Davos?</em></p><p>People at the World Economic Forum have come from across the globe, and some have enormous power, Sir David replies.</p><p>Some people here have more power than a national state.</p><p>We need to persuade those people, and get together to solve these problems.</p><p>Unless we sort ourselves out in the next decade or so we are dooming our children and our grandchildren to an appalling future.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T19:17:46.870Z">7.17pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><strong>On ocean pollution, Sir David Attenborough says that the amount of plastic dumped into the oceans is “terrifying”.</strong></p><p>He describes a scene where a seabird chick begs for food from its parent, only to be given a torrent of plastic waste.<br>What we’re doing to the oceans is “dreadful”, he adds.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T19:15:36.799Z">7.15pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Our economics editor Larry Elliott asks Sir David how we tackle climate change while also pursuing constant economic growth.</p><p>Attenborough says it’s a problem -- but one that we must wake up to.</p><p>Growth is going to come to an end, either suddenly or in a controlled way.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T19:07:32.487Z">7.07pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><strong>Sir David Attenborough has now swapped the rarified atmosphere of the Crystal Awards ceremony for the less gentrified experience of meeting with journalists at Davos.</strong></p><p>I guess he’s seen plenty of wildlife in his time, so won’t scare easily.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T18:11:17.332Z">6.11pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T18:07:06.794Z">6.07pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Here’s the climax of Sir David’s message to the so-called global elite at Davos tonight:</p><p>“If people can truly understand what is at stake, I believe they will give permission for business and governments to get on with the practical solutions. And as a species, we are expert problem solvers. but we’ve not yet applied ourself to this problem with the focus that it requires</p><p>We can create a world with clean air and water, unlimited energy, and fish stocks that will sustain us well into the future. But to do that, we need a plan.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T17:49:38.127Z">5.49pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>All the Crystal Award winners spoke powerfully about their causes. Here’s some instant reaction:</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A delightful address by Sir David Attenborough as he accepts <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WEF19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WEF19</a> crystal award. <br><br>"Let us move away from blame &amp; guilt to get on with practical solutions"<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/climatechange?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#climatechange</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ClimateAction</a> <a href="https://t.co/4lfThEGic0">pic.twitter.com/4lfThEGic0</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Couldn’t think of a better recipient of A <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CrystalAward?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CrystalAward</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WEF19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WEF19</a> than Sir David Attenborough reminding us all that the decisions we make now will effect life on earth for thousands of years <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewDealForNature?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewDealForNature</a> <a href="https://t.co/n5vhrISKau">pic.twitter.com/n5vhrISKau</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T17:48:25.594Z">5.48pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Attenborough doesn’t have any time of excuses, either, telling Davos that people need to move on from simply blaming each other, or feeling remorse for the state of the world.</p><p>Practical action must be the focus.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T17:43:56.283Z">5.43pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Without action on climate, civilization will collapse, David Attenborough tells the World Economic Forum.</p><p>He’s calling for a new deal for nature, and for humans to use their natural problem-solving skills to tackle the mess we’ve created.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sir David Attenborough awarded at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WEF19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WEF19</a> opening: “The Garden of Eden is no more....but humans are natural problem solvers...” <a href="https://t.co/yURU1soDtO">pic.twitter.com/yURU1soDtO</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T17:37:10.943Z">5.37pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Sir David Attenborough now speaks about the changes in communication in his career - his first TV series, decades ago, was only seen by a few million viewers.</p><p>Today’s technology gives a massively larger reach -- which can help mobilise people to address humans’ impact on the environment before it’s too late.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T17:33:24.938Z">5.33pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Up comes Sir David to another warm round of applause.</p><p>He thanks WEF for the beautiful award, and for the invite to Davos.</p><p>We have changed the world so much that scientists claim we are in a new geological age, the anthropocene, the age of humans.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T17:27:31.117Z">5.27pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><strong>Now it’s Sir David Attenborough’s turn.</strong></p><p>Hilda Schwab, who is presenting today’s awards, tells delegates that he was recently voted as the most trustworthy person in Britain (cue a fond round of applause)</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T17:25:49.862Z">5.25pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Saudi Arabia’s first female filmmaker, Haifaa Al-Mansour, now collects her award.</p><p>She explains she’s overwhelmed to be at Davos, having come from a small town in Saudi Arabia. As a child, her father showed her films (even though they were banned), which opened her eyes to a wider world.</p><p>It is important to expose children to art and film and culture, especially in conservative places.</p><p>Building culture makes a difference in the whole world.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T17:20:26.422Z">5.20pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><strong>Composer Marin Alsop collects her award first.</strong></p><p>She thanks the World Economic Forum, and explains the value of music to young people.</p><p>I firmly believe that art can transform lives, and everyone deserves a chance to experience it.</p><p>Unlike in maths, When you play a phrase on the violin, you’re always right.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T17:11:31.918Z">5.11pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><strong>After a very long, very successful career, S</strong><strong>ir David Attenborough needs little introduction.</strong></p><p>But here’s his citation from the World Economic Forum, for “his leadership in environmental stewardship”.</p><p>Sir David Attenborough’s broadcasting career spans more than six decades during which he has played an extraordinary role both reinventing and developing the medium of television and connecting people to the wonders of the natural world, bringing distant peoples, animals and habitats into living rooms across the planet. As a BBC producer and executive, he has played a crucial role in creating new forms of programming and scheduling that, to this day, influence global broadcasting.</p><p>His work includes many iconic productions, from the ground-breaking “Zoo Quest” series to landmarks including “Life on Earth”, “The Living Planet”, “The Trials of Life”, “The Private Life of Plants”, “Life of Mammals” and “Planet Earth”. At the Annual Meeting, Sir David will present key sequences from “Our Planet”, a new series by WWF, Netflix and Silverback Films, focusing on the preservation of life on Earth.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T17:09:43.284Z">5.09pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><strong>Haifaa Al-Mansour is being honoured by WEF for her leadership in cultural transformation in the Arab world.</strong></p><p>WEF says:</p><p>Haifaa Al-Mansour is the first female filmmaker in Saudi Arabia. “Wadjda”, Al Mansour’s feature debut, was the first feature film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia and the first by a female director. The success of her 2005 documentary “Women Without Shadows” was a breakthrough that was followed by a new wave of Saudi filmmakers and front-page headlines of Saudi Arabia finally opening cinemas in the kingdom. She was recently appointed to the Board of the General Authority for Culture to advise on the development of the cultural and arts sectors in Saudi Arabia. She recently released “Mary Shelly” starring Elle Fanning, and “Nappily Ever After” starring Sanaa Lathan. Al Mansour is the first artist from the Arabian Gulf region to be invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T17:08:41.092Z">5.08pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><strong>Marin Alsop is being recognised today for her leadership in championing diversity in music.</strong></p><p>Marin Alsop, Music Director of the Baltimore Symphony since 2007, is one of the greatest conductors of our time. Earlier this year she was the first woman to be appointed Chief Conductor of the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra and, in 2013, was the first woman in 118 years to conduct the BBC’s “Last Night of the Proms”. She has tirelessly endeavored to provide opportunities for all people to access music for a world where diversity in classical music is the norm rather than the exception. In Baltimore she launched the “OrchKids” programme to serve the city’s less privileged children, and the BSO Academy and Rusty Musicians for adult amateur musicians. She is also Music Director of the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra. A graduate of Yale University and a MacArthur Fellow (2005), at the Annual Meeting, she will lead the Opening Performance with the Taki Concordia Orchestra.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T17:06:11.125Z">5.06pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Cowbell are ringing inside the Davos Congress Centre (it’s a Swiss thing), to warn delegates that it’s nearly time for the opening ceremony of this year’s Annual Meeting.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T16:47:48.026Z">4.47pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><strong>There’s a lot of chatter about the state of the global economy on Davos’s icy pavements (and snug rooms inside the security cordon).</strong></p><p>The IMF’s growth downgrades will add to concerns... could we be facing a recession?</p><p>I anticipate World Economic Forum attendees will be anxious about financial turmoil and the potential damage from fallout over U.S. policies such as the simmering trade conflict between the U.S. and China and the U.S. government shutdown.</p><p>However, U.S. companies will be more upbeat, compared with European and Chinese companies – especially those in the manufacturing sectors – as U.S. business conditions remain the strongest among the G7 nations. The mood of Chinese delegates is likely to be quite somber.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T16:35:49.547Z">4.35pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><strong>Axel Weber is now hitting out at firms who misuse or are misnaming sustainable investment opportunities.</strong></p><p>The UBS chief tells his audience in Davos that greenwashing is often deployed for the headlines means “the whole industry gets discredited” and creates pushback. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T16:27:36.634Z">4.27pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><strong>UBS is kicking off its Davos agenda with a white paper warning that a lack of private funding is putting the UN Sustainable Development Goals “at significant risk”.</strong></p><p>It says the financial sector should be offering more personalised investment options and use “simpler and more consistent sustainability data and terms”. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T16:14:23.824Z">4.14pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><strong>Over in Davos, the peace and tranquility of this small ski resort is being rudely interrupted as thousands of business leaders, politicians, economists, technologists and campaigners descend.</strong><br></p><p>While brightly clad childen hone their technique on the practice slopes, the roads below are chockablock with luxury limos and shuttle buses ferrying global elite around (your humble correspondent walked - it’s cold, but lovely) </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T14:48:36.987Z">2.48pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Away from Davos:</p><p><strong>Now the festive fun has worn off and if the general economic doom and gloom were not enough to get you down, today is apparently Blue Monday</strong> – deemed the most depressing day of the year when we are most fed up and likely to apply for a new job or book a holiday – or even both, <em>writes our consumer affairs correspondent Rebecca Smithers</em>.</p><p>To get people in the holiday mood, Heathrow Airport has launched Sound Escapes – an ‘immersive’ soundtrack created from over 24 hours of recordings inspired by passengers in collaboration with award-winning sound artist Nick Ryan. It features waves on a beach, the splash of a swimming pool and a plane taking off, which have all topped the list of sounds that help transport Brits to holidays, inspiring nearly half of travellers to book a getaway.</p><p>Meanwhile a new study from hiring app Job Today B TODAY says that while January is far from joy-free, Blue Monday marks the month when most of us take charge and make a change. The number of people searching for ‘career change’ skyrocketed in January by more than 40% of the monthly average, and nearly double that of December, as consumers seek to jump ship with their jobs to make good on the ‘new year, new me’ mantra.The app also recorded a 21% increase in job applications in January, compared to December.</p><p>Of course it’s also Dry January. And if you fancy drowning your sorrows after Christmas spending has caught up with you, Beck’s Blue, the alcohol-free (sorry) beer brand is taking over Blue Monday<em>. </em>Brewing giant AB InBev– in partnership with pub group Mitchell and Butlers, is offering thirsty consumers a free bottle of Beck’s Blue. Those interested have to apply for a voucher first. Magnanimously, the company hopes this will drum up a bit of extra custom for pubs at a quiet time of year…</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T14:43:30.026Z">2.43pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>The International Monetary Fund has warned that the US-China trade war and weakness in Europe could trigger a sharp global slowdown, as it cut its growth forecasts for the world economy for the next two years – its second downgrade in three months. It also cited <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/21/imf-brexit-trump-trade-war-china-world-economic-outlook">a sharper slowdown in China and a potential no-deal Brexit as major risks to its outlook</a>.</p><p>Speaking in Davos in Switzerland, where the global elite are gathering for the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting, the IMF’s managing director, Christine Lagarde, said: “Does that mean a global recession is around the corner? No. But the risk of a sharper decline in global growth has certainly increased.”</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T14:21:51.205Z">2.21pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>In Davos, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/dec/18/tina-brown-vanity-fair-new-yorker-interview">Tina Brown</a>, the former editor of Vanity Fair and the New Yorker, and Credit Suisse will host their eighth annual Women of Impact dinner tomorrow.</p><p>Every year, when more than 2,500 political and business leaders, policymakers, economists, celebrities and journalists pour into the Swiss resort, women are heavily outnumbered by men.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T14:08:00.614Z">2.08pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>The IMF’s chief economist, Gita Gopinath, said the immediate and dominant risk to the British economy is Brexit, rather than China’s slowdown – and the uncertainty around what happens at the end of March has already had an impact.</p><p>We’ve already seen the negative effect of this uncertainty on British investment.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">IMF's Christine Lagarde holds news conference ahead of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WEF?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WEF</a> <a href="https://t.co/m2rEpkS9wc">https://t.co/m2rEpkS9wc</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T13:47:36.649Z">1.47pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Here are Lagarde’s comments in full. </p><p>After two years of solid expansion the world economy is growing more slowly than expected and risks are rising.</p><p>It is facing significantly higher risks, some of them actually related to policy.</p><p>Does that mean a global recession is around the corner? No. But the risk of a sharper decline in global growth has certainly increased.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T13:33:39.678Z">1.33pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Here is our full story on the IMF’s latest economic outlook, released in Davos, where the global elite are gathering for the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/21/imf-brexit-trump-trade-war-china-world-economic-outlook">IMF: no-deal Brexit and Chinese slump are biggest economic risks</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T13:30:28.234Z">1.30pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Global growth projected to decline to 3.5 percent in 2019 before picking up slightly to 3.6 percent in 2020. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WEO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WEO</a> <a href="https://t.co/1lzr85icmB">https://t.co/1lzr85icmB</a> <a href="https://t.co/te4ORSJlnB">pic.twitter.com/te4ORSJlnB</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T13:29:29.315Z">1.29pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Here is some instant reaction to the IMF’s growth forecast cuts.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ouch! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IMF?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IMF</a> cuts German 2019 GDP outlook by a whopping 0.6ppts to 1.3%. Largest revision among the industrialized countries, citing soft domestic demand, ailing auto industry &amp; external demand. Saudi Arabia GDP alone was reduced by the same amount <a href="https://t.co/iLZc1UmTeZ">https://t.co/iLZc1UmTeZ</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/welt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@welt</a> <a href="https://t.co/VB12aeVGas">pic.twitter.com/VB12aeVGas</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T13:24:24.355Z">1.24pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Asked about China, she said the slowdown – to an annual growth rate of 6.6% in 2018, the lowest since 1990 – was exactly what the IMF had expected.</p><p>Nothing dramatic is happening at this point.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T13:23:19.023Z">1.23pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>The IMF’s chief economist, Gita Gopinath, is taking questions on the latest forecasts. Referring to the “Brexit cliffhanger,” she said:</p><p>A no deal Brexit is one of the major risks to our forecast.</p><p>if there is a disruptive exit or there is continued uncertainty for many more months, both of those are going to weigh negatively on economic growth going forward.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T13:16:04.515Z">1.16pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>IMF head Christine Lagarde just spoke, at the start of the WEF meeting in Davos. </p><p>She said while a global recession was not yet around the corner, the risk of a sharper decline in global economic growth had certainly increased. She added that policymakers must prepare for a serious slowdown, and called on them to reduce high levels of government debt to boost economic resilience.</p><p>The international community must come together to build a brighter future for all.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T13:00:13.486Z">1.00pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>NEWSFLASH: The International Monetary Fund has cut its growth forecasts for the global economy for the next two years, and urged the US and China to resolve their trade war.<br></p><p>Our man in Switzerland, Graeme Wearden, writes:</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T12:22:07.058Z">12.22pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>It’s official: a number of firms have reduced pack sizes of consumer goods after the weak pound pushed up cost of imports following the 2016 Brexit vote.</p><p>It’s not just <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/mar/26/brexit-confectioners-shrink-maltesers-sweets">Mars shrinking its Maltesers, M&amp;M</a><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/mar/26/brexit-confectioners-shrink-maltesers-sweets">s and Minstrels</a> chocolate packs by up to 15%, and McVitie’s cutting the number of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/sep/26/jaffa-cakes-pack-size-cut-shrinkflation-mcvities-cadbury">Jaffa Cakes in a packet from 12 to 10</a>. </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/21/brexit-shrinkflation-ons-pack-sizes">Brexit bites: more than 200 products subject to shrinkflation, says ONS</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T11:52:14.379Z">11.52am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Back to China. Monday’s economic data suggested the downturn may not be as severe as thought. The country’s industrial output rose 5.7%, while retail sales increased 8.2% in December, compared to a year earlier.</p><p>This suggests the hard landing scenario for the Chinese economy is diminishing, says Neil MacKinnon, global macro strategist at Russian bank VTB Capital.</p><p>Numbers for industrial production and retail sales are now consistent with the stabilisation of economic activity. Upcoming PMI data for January can provide confirmation whether the prospect of a hard landing scenario for the Chinese economy is diminishing. </p><p>The latest GDP data shows that annual growth in 2018 was 6.6%, the slowest since 1990, though many China-watchers question the veracity of the official data and believe that true growth is a lot lower, perhaps something like 2-3%, which would equate with at least stall-speed in terms of activity. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T10:49:22.157Z">10.49am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Over in Japan, the former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn has offered to wear an electronic ankle tag and hire security guards to track his every move, in another bail request.</p><p>Ghosn is awaiting trial on financial misconduct charges and has been in jail since he was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/nov/19/nissan-renault-carlos-ghosn-arrest-shares">arrested</a> on 19 November. The Tokyo district court has already turned down one bail request, believing Ghosn to be a flight risk and that he could tamper with evidence over allegations that he <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/11/carlos-ghosn-indicted-on-fresh-financial-misconduct-charges-in-japan">underreported his income</a> by tens of millions of dollars and transferred personal investment losses to Nissan.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/21/carlos-ghosn-japan-bail-nissan">Carlos Ghosn offers to wear ankle tag if he is granted bail in Japan</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T09:38:44.492Z">9.38am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>The pound has slipped before Theresa May lays out her “Plan B,” designed to break the deadlock in parliament over Brexit.</p><p>Sterling is down 0.2% against the dollar at $1.2847, and has lost 0.3% versus the euro, trading at 88.53 pence.</p><p> It is generally understood that the revised plan for a negotiated Brexit involves asking the EU for changes, in the ‘back stop’ arrangement; but being one of the Union’s ‘red lines’, it is unlikely that any proposed changes to the controversial arrangement will be accepted. </p><p>Therefore, the chances of any substantial developments in the process this Monday are slim and because of the that, sterling is likely to remain where it has been for the last week, just above $1.28, with traders pricing in comparatively low chances of a no deal Brexit, but also reflecting a large degree of uncertainty regarding the outcome of the negotiations.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T09:13:55.648Z">9.13am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><strong>William Hill has warned (again) that full year profits will be down 15% from 2017, totalling £234m.</strong> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/nov/06/william-hill-gambling-crackdown-profits-fobts">The bookmaker already cut its profit forecast</a> in November. </p><p>The company said it would “remodel [its] retail offer while building a digitally-led international business”. It is looking at new products to offer alternatives to fixed-odds betting terminals, following the UK government’s decision to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/17/maximum-stake-for-fixed-odds-betting-terminals-cut-to-2">slash maximum stakes on FOBTs from £100 to £2</a>. William Hill is also closing 900 betting shops in the UK, as announced last summer.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T08:59:20.509Z">8.59am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><strong>The chief executive of Just Eat, Peter Plumb, has left abruptly. </strong>The takeaway ordering website announced he had stepped down with immediate effect – just 16 months after joining the firm from MoneySavingExpert.com. </p><p>Chief customer officer Peter Duffy will run the business until a permanent replacement is found. The shares dropped 3% on the news but are now slightly up.</p><p>2018 was another year of strong growth for the group. The business is in good health, and now is the right time for me to step aside and make way for a new leader for the next exciting wave of growth.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T08:51:22.668Z">8.51am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><strong>The troubled cafe chain <a href="https://viewer.gutools.co.uk/business/2019/jan/18/patisserie-valerie-locked-in-talks-over-banking-lifeline">Patisserie Valerie</a> issued a statement this morning, saying that talks with its banks continue and it will give an update when they are concluded.</strong> The chain is fighting for its survival.</p><p>Luke Johnson, Patisserie Valerie’s leading shareholder, has been seeking to extend a standstill agreement on its bank facilities, which officially expired at midnight on Friday.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/20/patisserie-valerie-could-collapse-last-ditch-talks-fail-banks">Patisserie Valerie could collapse this week if last-ditch talks fail</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T08:43:13.805Z">8.43am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Here’s a round-up of this morning’s corporate news. </p><p><strong>GlaxoSmithKline’s chairman Sir Philip Hampton is to step down ahead of the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/dec/19/gsk-plans-break-up-after-10bn-pfizer-deal">company’s split</a></strong>, which will see it spin off its consumer healthcare business in a £10bn joint venture with its US rival Pfizer. The board has started looking for a successor. Hampton has been chairman of Britain’s biggest pharmaceutical company since 2015. Before that, he chaired Royal Bank of Scotland.</p><p>It is a privilege to serve as chairman of GSK. It is one of the UK’s great companies and under Emma Walmsley’s leadership, GSK has made very good progress with a new strategy and new approach to R&amp;D. Following the announcement of our deal with Pfizer and the intended separation of the new consumer business, I believe this is the right moment to step down and allow a new chair to oversee this process through to its conclusion over the next few years and to lead the board into this next phase for GSK.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T08:34:26.783Z">8.34am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>European stock markets slipped in early trade after hitting six-week highs last week, slightly unnerved by the Chinese slowdown. In London, the FTSE 100 index opened 0.1% lower but is now 0.13% ahead, a gain of 9 points, to 6977.80.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T08:27:04.935Z">8.27am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Some say China’s problems are much deeper than the trade war, noting that productivity growth has been weak since the financial crisis.</p><p><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-01-16/china-is-turning-into-its-own-worst-economic-enemy?utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&amp;utm_content=business&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;cmpid=socialflow-twitter-business&amp;utm_medium=social">Bloomberg writes</a>:</p><p>This, along with flagging population growth, is a toxic economic combo. Meanwhile, the growing antagonism of China’s trading partners is closing off access to cutting-edge technology. </p><p>Since the crisis, Beijing has deployed bursts of credit-based stimulus to keep the economy moving. But this might feed the longer-term problem, [Bloomberg columnist] <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-01-15/china-economy-now-slowed-by-stimulus-used-in-great-recession">Noah Smith suggests</a>, by pumping capital into local governments and pricey building projects that don’t boost productivity. Far more than Trump, China may be stunting its own economic future. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T08:22:27.494Z">8.22am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Hussein Sayed, chief market strategist at forex broker FXTM, says hopes of a US-China trade deal are propping up stock markets.</p><p>Despite the complex situation, it seems markets are tending to believe that negotiations are moving in the right direction and this is likely to provide further support to risk sentiment.</p><p>The release of Chinese GDP figures, which showed the economy has grown at its slowest pace in almost three decades, was not a surprise and this has been factored into asset prices. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T08:21:38.733Z">8.21am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Although Donald Trump denied reports that US tariffs on Chinese exports would be lifted, he said on Saturday that there has been progress towards a deal with China.</p><p>“Things are going very well with China and with trade,” he told reporters at the White House.</p><p>If we make a deal certainly we would not have sanctions and if we don’t make a deal we will. </p><p>We’ve really had a very extraordinary number of meetings and a deal could very well happen with China. It’s going well. I would say about as well as it could possibly go.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T08:08:37.627Z">8.08am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">From <a href="https://twitter.com/Breakingviews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Breakingviews</a> - China's economy is cooling faster than Beijing wants, but not fast enough to warrant the aggressive monetary and fiscal steps some bureaucrats, and many investors, would like. For now, expect more talk than action: <a href="https://twitter.com/cbeddor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cbeddor</a> <a href="https://t.co/jO6LQ5j8y1">https://t.co/jO6LQ5j8y1</a> <a href="https://t.co/kR52xe2ff5">pic.twitter.com/kR52xe2ff5</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">China's econ data is trash. But that misses the point: growth is decelerating, and after years of rapid expansion the rest of the world is not remotely insulated from a slowdown <a href="https://t.co/s7tDuDnYyc">https://t.co/s7tDuDnYyc</a> <a href="https://t.co/KosrDkect5">pic.twitter.com/KosrDkect5</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T08:04:06.399Z">8.04am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Here is some reaction to the Chinese GDP data. </p><p>ING economist Iris Pang says: </p><p>The details show that the infrastructure investment is shaping up to be the engine for 2019. However, non-infrastructure business activities will be dismal this year. And debt will grow.</p><p>Industrial production grew faster at 5.7% year-on-year in December from 5.4%YoY. However, again, when we look at the details, we find that capital expenditure related items are shrinking, not growing. For example, industrial robot production shrank 12.7%YoY. </p><p>Even though there are some signs of hope stemming from the negotiations on US-China trade, we believe that both sides will only agree on certain standard trade issues. However, the more important topics in the trade talk, intellectual property and the transfer of technology, are much more difficult to reach agreement on. And Liu He will not be able to decide on these topics alone. That’s why we believe that by 1st March 2019, the trade talks may only have agreements on trade but not technology.<br></p><p>In this case, there will be increasingly more developed economies, or even emerging economies, trying to ban the use of China-made electronic components and goods. That will hurt the production sector of electronics in China, and the prices of these items will fall in China. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2019-01-21T07:40:41.542Z">7.40am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><strong>Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of the world economy, the financial markets, the eurozone and business.</strong></p><p>China’s economic growth slowed to its slowest pace in 28 years in 2018 after years of rapid expansion, amid a damaging trade war with the US and weaker consumer spending. Official data out on Monday showed the world’s second-biggest economy grew 6.6%, down from 6.8% in 2017 and the lowest rate since 1990.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/21/chinas-economic-growth-slowest-since-1990">China's economic growth slowest since 1990 amid trade war with US</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/blog/live/2019/jan/21/chinese-growth-lowest-in-28-years-as-davos-gets-under-way-business-live">Continue reading...</a>DavosDavos 2018Davos 2019ChinaBusinessUS newsWorld newsUK newsAsia PacificMon, 21 Jan 2019 19:36:39 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/business/blog/live/2019/jan/21/chinese-growth-lowest-in-28-years-as-davos-gets-under-way-business-livePhotograph: Gian Ehrenzeller/EPAPhotograph: Gian Ehrenzeller/EPAGraeme Wearden in Davos (now) and Julia Kollewe2019-01-21T19:36:39ZIMF reminds US that a China slowdown is a drag for everyonehttps://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/21/imf-reminds-us-china-slowdown-a-drag-for-everyone-davos
<p>Christine Lagarde’s economic health check in Davos hints that Trump should change course </p><p>These days it does not matter how much the US economy is pumped with steroids, if <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/21/chinas-economic-growth-slowest-since-1990">China cannot keep pace</a>, the rest of the world slows down. Even the US begins to stagger.</p><p>That is the message from the International Monetary Fund, which has supplemented its usual March and October biannual health checks on the global economy with a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/21/imf-brexit-trump-trade-war-china-world-economic-outlook">handy interim report</a> timed to coincide with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/blog/live/2019/jan/21/chinese-growth-lowest-in-28-years-as-davos-gets-under-way-business-live">the Davos business and political leaders’ summit</a>.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/blog/live/2019/jan/21/chinese-growth-lowest-in-28-years-as-davos-gets-under-way-business-live">Davos 2019: Attenborough warns that the Garden of Eden is no more - live!</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/21/imf-reminds-us-china-slowdown-a-drag-for-everyone-davos">Continue reading...</a>Global economyDavosChinaUS economyBusinessAsia PacificEconomicsWorld newsMon, 21 Jan 2019 18:52:36 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/21/imf-reminds-us-china-slowdown-a-drag-for-everyone-davosPhotograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty ImagesPhillip Inman2019-01-21T18:52:36ZPre-Davos survey shows sixfold rise in global CEOs' gloomhttps://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/21/pre-davos-survey-shows-sixfold-rise-in-global-ceos-gloom
<p>Rising protectionism and slide in US-China ties fuel pessimism of chief executives, says PwC</p><p>Pessimism among chief executives has risen sharply in the past 12 months as the leaders of the world’s biggest companies have taken fright at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/21/chinas-economic-growth-slowest-since-1990">rising protectionism </a>and the deteriorating relationship between the US and China.</p><p>The survey of chief executives conducted by the consultancy firm PwC to mark the start of the World Economic Forum in Davos showed a sixfold increase to 30% in the number of CEOs expecting global growth to slow during 2019.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/blog/live/2019/jan/21/chinese-growth-lowest-in-28-years-as-davos-gets-under-way-business-live">Davos 2019: Attenborough warns that the Garden of Eden is over - live!</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/21/pre-davos-survey-shows-sixfold-rise-in-global-ceos-gloom">Continue reading...</a>Davos 2019Davos 2018PricewaterhouseCoopersBusinessEconomicsWorld newsUS newsChinaAsia PacificUK newsDavosMon, 21 Jan 2019 18:45:20 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/21/pre-davos-survey-shows-sixfold-rise-in-global-ceos-gloomPhotograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty ImagesLarry Elliott2019-01-21T18:45:20ZIMF: no-deal Brexit and Chinese slump are biggest economic riskshttps://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/21/imf-brexit-trump-trade-war-china-world-economic-outlook
<p>Escalation of Trump’s trade war with China also a threat, says World Economic Outlook</p><p>A no-deal Brexit and a sharper slowdown in China are the biggest risks to growth in the global economy in 2019, the International Monetary Fund has warned in its latest economic outlook.</p><p>Amid already falling levels of growth in Europe, China and Japan, the IMF said an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/05/china-economy-slowdown-us-tariffs-trade-war">escalation of the trade war between </a><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/05/china-economy-slowdown-us-tariffs-trade-war">Donald Trump and Beijing</a> over the coming months and the UK tumbling out of the EU without a deal would force further downgrades in its forecasts for growth.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/21/imf-brexit-trump-trade-war-china-world-economic-outlook">Continue reading...</a>International Monetary Fund (IMF)EconomicsBusinessChinaUS economyWorld newsAsia PacificDavos 2019BrexitPoliticsUK newsDonald TrumpUS newsDavos 2018DavosEuropeMon, 21 Jan 2019 13:00:13 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/21/imf-brexit-trump-trade-war-china-world-economic-outlookPhotograph: Xinhua/Barcroft ImagesPhotograph: Xinhua/Barcroft ImagesPhillip Inman2019-01-21T13:00:13ZMount Everest climber numbers face major cut as China starts cleanuphttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/21/mount-everest-climbers-face-major-clampdown-as-china-begins-cleanup
<p>Number of people scaling north side to be reduced by a third and season shortened</p><p>China is is to restrict the number of climbers attempting to scale Mount Everest from the north by up to one-third this year as part of a major cleanup of the world’s highest peak.</p><p>The total number of people allowed to climb from the mountain via Tibet will be limited to fewer than 300, Chinese state media reported on Monday. The climbing season will also be restricted to spring, the season in which the world’s highest mountain is almost invariably attempted.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/21/mount-everest-climbers-face-major-clampdown-as-china-begins-cleanup">Continue reading...</a>Mount EverestChinaAsia PacificWorld newsMon, 21 Jan 2019 08:23:27 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/21/mount-everest-climbers-face-major-clampdown-as-china-begins-cleanupPhotograph: Phunjo Lama/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Phunjo Lama/AFP/Getty ImagesLily Kuo Beijing and Peter Beaumont2019-01-21T08:23:27ZMan arrested at Sydney airport over baby formula crime syndicate allegationshttps://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/21/man-arrested-at-sydney-airport-over-baby-formula-syndicate-allegations
<p>Syndicate allegedly handled $1 million of stolen goods in the past year and may have run empire over a number of years<br></p><p>Police in New South Wales allege a Sydney family ran an expansive crime empire that stole and illegally exported thousands of tins of baby formula to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/china">China</a>.</p><p>Police on Monday said they had arrested six people, including four from the same family, over the alleged coordinated theft of more than 4,000 tins of baby formula, manuka honey and other goods.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/21/man-arrested-at-sydney-airport-over-baby-formula-syndicate-allegations">Continue reading...</a>Crime - AustraliaSydneyNew South WalesAustralia newsChinaMon, 21 Jan 2019 06:45:07 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/21/man-arrested-at-sydney-airport-over-baby-formula-syndicate-allegationsPhotograph: NSW policePhotograph: NSW policeAustralian Associated Press2019-01-21T06:45:07ZBattlefield moon: how China plans to win the lunar space racehttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jan/21/china-steps-up-bid-to-win-the-lunar-space-race
<p>Successful Chang’e 4 mission reveals nation’s ambitious attempts to thwart its rivals </p><p>As Apollo 11 sailed above the moon, mission control in Houston suggested the astronauts should keep an eye out for a “beautiful Chinese girl called Chang-o”, who, according to legend, had ascended to the moon thousands of years previously, taking along a large rabbit as a companion.</p><p>“I’ll look out for the bunny girl then,” Buzz Aldrin joked in reply, shortly ahead of his and Neil Armstrong’s historic touchdown at the lunar surface.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jan/15/china-germinates-first-seed-on-moon-cotton-shoot-change-4">Giant leaf for mankind? China germinates first seed on moon</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jan/21/china-steps-up-bid-to-win-the-lunar-space-race">Continue reading...</a>SpaceScienceThe moonChinaAsia PacificWorld newsNasaThe space shuttleMon, 21 Jan 2019 06:00:10 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jan/21/china-steps-up-bid-to-win-the-lunar-space-racePhotograph: Xinhua/Rex/ShutterstockPhotograph: Xinhua/Rex/ShutterstockHannah Devlin2019-01-21T06:00:10ZChina's economic growth slowest since 1990 amid trade war with UShttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/21/chinas-economic-growth-slowest-since-1990
<p>Fears China may not be able to help shore up weakening global growth as GDP figures are slowest nation has reported in 28 years</p><p>China’s economy grew 6.6% in 2018, its slowest pace in almost 30 years, confirming a slowdown in the world’s second largest economy that could threaten global growth.</p><p>After years of breakneck expansion, official data on Monday confirmed that China’s growth in 2018 was the country’s slowest reported rate since 1990 and down from 6.8% in 2017.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/19/doomsayers-warn-economic-slump-early-next-year">A burst of good news can’t hide the economic hazards ahead in 2019</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/09/us-china-trade-war-is-the-time-ripe-for-peace-to-break-out">US-China trade war: is the time ripe for peace to break out? | Larry Elliott</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/21/chinas-economic-growth-slowest-since-1990">Continue reading...</a>ChinaEconomicsAsia PacificWorld newsBusinessMon, 21 Jan 2019 02:23:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/21/chinas-economic-growth-slowest-since-1990Photograph: Greg Baker/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Greg Baker/AFP/Getty ImagesLily Kuo in Beijing2019-01-21T02:23:03ZThe Guardian view on Trump and arms: can the doomsday clock be stopped? | Editorialhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/20/the-guardian-view-on-trump-and-arms-can-the-doomsday-clock-be-stopped
<p>The threat of an arms race is real and growing. The news of recent days has highlighted the dangers</p><p>How late is it now? On Thursday, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists will announce the time on its <a href="https://clock.thebulletin.org/" title="">Doomsday Clock</a>. Last year, the bulletin moved the hands forwards 30 seconds, to reach two minutes to midnight: the closest to catastrophe <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/25/doomsday-clock-ticked-forward-trump-nuclear-weapons-climate-change" title="">in six and a half decades</a>. Since then, the immediate peril encapsulated in Donald Trump’s threats of “fire and fury” to North Korea has receded. But Mr Trump should take no credit for pressing pause on a crisis largely of his own making. His actions have exacerbated existing problems on the Korean peninsula, and elsewhere.</p><p><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/03/trump-asks-why-us-cant-use-nukes-msnbcs-joe-scarborough-reports.html" title="">As a candidate</a>, Mr Trump is said to have asked why the US could not use nuclear weapons. So it should be no surprise he has proved reckless in office. Last week, his administration announced it would <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/16/us-russia-inf-treaty-nuclear-missile" title="">begin its pull-out</a> from the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty next month, and Mr Trump called for billions of dollars of new spending on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/17/trump-us-missile-defence-north-korea" title="">missile defences</a>. Arms control experts have warned that the missile defence review, and Mr Trump’s rhetoric in particular, risk provoking an arms race, encouraging Russia and China, both of which are potential and actual destabilisers already, to increase their own capabilities.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/20/the-guardian-view-on-trump-and-arms-can-the-doomsday-clock-be-stopped">Continue reading...</a>Donald TrumpNuclear weaponsUS newsWorld newsKim Jong-unRussiaEuropeChinaAsia PacificIranMiddle East and North AfricaUS CongressJohn BoltonSun, 20 Jan 2019 18:30:26 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/20/the-guardian-view-on-trump-and-arms-can-the-doomsday-clock-be-stoppedPhotograph: Manuel Balce Ceneta/APPhotograph: Manuel Balce Ceneta/APEditorial2019-01-20T18:30:26ZA burst of good news can’t hide the economic hazards ahead in 2019https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/19/doomsayers-warn-economic-slump-early-next-year
Doomsayers warn of a slump as early as next year – and it might be too late to prove them wrong<p>Almost as soon as the world’s most eminent economic doomsayers began to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/05/global-economic-crash-2020-understand-why" title="">warn about an impending slump</a>, possibly as soon as 2020, policymakers were out of the blocks, racing to avert the worst effects.</p><p>The new year message from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and a string of similarly gloomy commentators struck a chord, apparently within weeks of sounding the alarm that a global recession and possibly a credit crunch to rival 2008’s was on the way.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/11/what-are-biggest-risks-to-global-economy-in-2019">What are biggest risks to the global economy in 2019? | Kenneth Rogoff</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/19/doomsayers-warn-economic-slump-early-next-year">Continue reading...</a>EconomicsChinaDonald TrumpXi JinpingStock marketsEconomic policyUS economic growth and recessionFederal ReserveSat, 19 Jan 2019 17:00:19 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/19/doomsayers-warn-economic-slump-early-next-yearPhotograph: Xinhua/REX/ShutterstockPhotograph: Xinhua/REX/ShutterstockPhillip Inman2019-01-19T17:00:19ZCautious consumers feel the pinch as Chinese economy slowshttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/18/cautious-consumers-chinese-economy-slows
<p>Deserted high streets show that after decades of breakneck growth, the world’s second largest economy is faltering<br></p><p>Few people are shopping at the Beijing Yintai Centre, a high-end mall in the Chinese capital’s central business district. Store clerks say foot traffic has been low, even when holiday discounts were offered. Office workers walk past empty shops like Hermes, Dolce &amp; Gabbana and Cartier, eating fruit they have brought for lunch.</p><p>Li Xin, 33, who works for a security company nearby, likes to check out the selection of handbags. Her favourites are Chanel and Tom Ford. But recently, she has decided to cut back. “This year I didn’t buy any new bags, because everyone has been saying: ‘Winter is coming’,” she said.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/05/china-economy-slowdown-us-tariffs-trade-war">China feels the squeeze of Trump’s trade war as more tariffs loom</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/15/china-announces-package-tax-cuts-aid-slowing-economy">China unleashes tax cuts in bid to halt economic slowdown</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/18/cautious-consumers-chinese-economy-slows">Continue reading...</a>ChinaBusinessRetail industryAsia PacificWorld newsFri, 18 Jan 2019 20:31:47 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/18/cautious-consumers-chinese-economy-slowsPhotograph: Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesPhotograph: Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesLily Kuo in Beijing2019-01-18T20:31:47ZWhat we don’t talk about when we only talk about Brexit | Jonathan Freedlandhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/18/brexit-climate-change-yemen-gaza-irish-backstop
Warming oceans, war in Yemen, the fate of the Uighurs, Gaza … We’ve been too busy with the backstop to notice the world<p>One of Brexit’s more pernicious aspects, even before you get to its actual flaws, is its tendency to suck all available oxygen unto itself, to drain resources that might otherwise have gone elsewhere. Before the referendum, civil servants warned that such a task – untangling 40 years of legal agreements, ripping out a delicate web of connections that had become embedded – would consume all their energies. Naturally, their warnings were dismissed as Project Fear. But even the head of Vote Leave, Dominic Cummings, before he took on the form of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/jan/07/brexit-the-uncivil-war-review-superficial-irresponsible-tv-cumberbatch" title="">Benedict Cumberbatch</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theguardian/posts/dominic-cummings-the-zealot-who-masterminded-the-vote-leave-campaign-this-week-t/10154748574026323/" title="">conceded via Twitter</a> that leaving the European Union would present the British state with the “hardest job since beating Nazis”.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2019/jan/18/brexit-latest-news-boris-johnson-merkels-probable-successor-and-other-leading-germans-urge-uk-to-change-its-mind-and-stay-politics-live">Brexit: Boris Johnson says he would be 'utterly amazed' if UK could not get EU to drop backstop - Politics live</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/18/brexit-britain-history-books">‘Back in 2019, Britain was much larger’: what the history books will say | Jack Bernhardt</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/18/brexit-climate-change-yemen-gaza-irish-backstop">Continue reading...</a>BrexitClimate changeChinaYemenWorld newsSaudi ArabiaGazaFri, 18 Jan 2019 18:25:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/18/brexit-climate-change-yemen-gaza-irish-backstopPhotograph: Jody Martin/ReutersPhotograph: Jody Martin/ReutersJonathan Freedland2019-01-18T18:25:49ZMale TV stars' earrings censored on Chinese site, say viewershttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/18/china-censors-earrings-of-male-stars-on-iqiyi-video-streaming-site
<p>Web users report that images have been blurred on Netflix-like iQiyi’s TV shows</p><p>Editors of television programmes streamed on China’s Netflix-like iQiyi site appear to be blurring the earlobes of male actors with earrings, according to web users in the country.</p><p>Doctored images of male actors on a show called Sisters Flower Shop alongside earlier footage where they were sporting earrings have been posted online. In another show, I, Actor, the earlobes of the actor and singer Jǐng Bórán also appear to have been edited.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/07/china-bans-winnie-the-pooh-film-to-stop-comparisons-to-president-xi">China bans Winnie the Pooh film after comparisons to President Xi</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/18/china-censors-earrings-of-male-stars-on-iqiyi-video-streaming-site">Continue reading...</a>ChinaCensorshipVideo on demandAsia PacificMediaWorld newsFri, 18 Jan 2019 11:46:22 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/18/china-censors-earrings-of-male-stars-on-iqiyi-video-streaming-sitePhotograph: weiboPhotograph: weiboLily Kuo in Beijing2019-01-18T11:46:22ZOxford places ban on donations and research grants from Huaweihttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jan/17/oxford-places-ban-on-donations-and-research-grants-from-huawei-chinese-national-security
<p>Decision on Chinese telecoms firm comes as national security concerns mount in the west</p><p>The University of Oxford has placed an indefinite ban on accepting research grants or donations from the Chinese telecoms firm Huawei, which is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/dec/08/the-giant-that-no-one-trusts-why-huaweis-history-haunts-it">facing mounting concerns</a><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/dec/08/the-giant-that-no-one-trusts-why-huaweis-history-haunts-it"> from several governments</a> about whether it poses a risk to national security.</p><p>The decision emerged the day after the US prosecutors reportedly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jan/17/chinas-huawei-reportedly-targeted-in-us-criminal-investigation">opened an investigation into </a><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jan/17/chinas-huawei-reportedly-targeted-in-us-criminal-investigation">Huawei for alleged theft</a> of trade secrets from American firms. Berlin is also reportedly weighing up measures to exclude the company from working on the rollout of 5G mobile infrastructure in Germany.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jan/17/oxford-places-ban-on-donations-and-research-grants-from-huawei-chinese-national-security">Continue reading...</a>HuaweiUniversity of OxfordUK newsChinaUS newsTechnologyEducationHigher educationWorld newsAsia PacificBusinessThu, 17 Jan 2019 18:01:37 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jan/17/oxford-places-ban-on-donations-and-research-grants-from-huawei-chinese-national-securityPhotograph: Aly Song/ReutersPhotograph: Aly Song/ReutersRob Davies2019-01-17T18:01:37ZChina accuses US of suppressing its high-tech companieshttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jan/17/chinas-huawei-reportedly-targeted-in-us-criminal-investigation
<p>US said to be in advanced stages of inquiry over alleged Huawei theft of trade secrets</p><p>China has accused the US of trying to suppress its tech companies, as US prosecutors reportedly investigate allegations that Huawei stole trade secrets from US businesses.</p><p>Adding to pressure on the Chinese telecoms firm, US lawmakers have proposed a ban on selling US chips or components to the company.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/dec/06/huawei-faces-catastrophe-in-the-technology-cold-war">Huawei faces catastrophe in the technology cold war</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/10/chinas-zte-may-be-first-major-casualty-of-trade-war-with-us">China's ZTE may be first major casualty of trade war with US</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jan/17/chinas-huawei-reportedly-targeted-in-us-criminal-investigation">Continue reading...</a>HuaweiChinaAsia PacificTechnologyWorld newsUS foreign policyUS newsBusinessTelecommunications industryCanadaThu, 17 Jan 2019 10:35:35 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jan/17/chinas-huawei-reportedly-targeted-in-us-criminal-investigationPhotograph: POOL New/ReutersPhotograph: POOL New/ReutersLily Kuo in Beijing, Leyland Cecco in Toronto, and agencies2019-01-17T10:35:35ZPopulist leaders face mounting resistance, say global rights expertshttps://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/jan/17/populist-leaders-face-mounting-resistance-says-global-human-rights-watch-experts
<p>Opposition to authoritarian rule reflects increased concern of voters and institutions, Human Rights Watch claims</p><p>From Europe to Yemen and Myanmar to the US, authoritarian and populist leaders face an increasingly powerful human rights pushback, according to an influential annual survey of global rights.</p><p>Despite mounting pessimism around rights abuses and attacks on democracy by populists on both the far left and far right, the “big news” of the past year was the growing trend to confront abuses by “headline-grabbing autocrats”, said Human Rights Watch.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/political-science/2018/nov/20/why-is-populism-suddenly-so-sexy-the-reasons-are-many">Why is populism suddenly all the rage?</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/jan/17/populist-leaders-face-mounting-resistance-says-global-human-rights-watch-experts">Continue reading...</a>Human rightsGlobal developmentWorld newsChinaVenezuelaYemenHungaryUS newsThu, 17 Jan 2019 09:30:13 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/jan/17/populist-leaders-face-mounting-resistance-says-global-human-rights-watch-expertsPhotograph: Martyn Aim/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Martyn Aim/Getty ImagesPeter Beaumont2019-01-17T09:30:13ZFirst green leaf on moon dies as temperatures plummethttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jan/16/china-first-cotton-plant-on-moon-dies-change-4-lander
<p>Cotton plant perishes on lunar far side after sprouting on board China’s Chang’e 4 lander</p><p>The appearance of a single green leaf hinted at a future in which astronauts would <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jan/15/china-germinates-first-seed-on-moon-cotton-shoot-change-4">grow their own food in space</a>, potentially setting up residence at outposts on the moon or other planets. Now, barely after it had sprouted, the cotton plant onboard China’s lunar rover has died.</p><p>The plant relied on sunlight at the moon’s surface, but as night arrived at the lunar far side and temperatures plunged as low as -170C, its short life came to an end.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jan/16/china-first-cotton-plant-on-moon-dies-change-4-lander">Continue reading...</a>The moonSpaceScienceChinaAsia PacificWorld newsWed, 16 Jan 2019 15:42:48 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jan/16/china-first-cotton-plant-on-moon-dies-change-4-landerPhotograph: HANDOUT/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: HANDOUT/AFP/Getty ImagesHannah Devlin Science correspondent2019-01-16T15:42:48ZCommand and control - inside the 18 January edition of the Guardian Weeklyhttps://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/jan/16/command-and-control-inside-the-18-january-edition-of-the-guardian-weekly
This week, the Guardian’s international news magazine explores the sudden and targeted crackdown on religion in China. Subscribe to <a href="https://support.theguardian.com/uk/subscribe/weekly?promoCode=WWM53X" title="">The Guardian Weekly</a><p><strong>The treatment of Uighur Muslims in China’s </strong><strong>northwestern territory of Xinjiang is slowly becoming a global scandal. </strong>Lily Kuo, our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/profile/lily-kuo" title="">Beijing bureau chief</a>, has been reporting on the Chinese state’s mass internment camps (later rebranded as “training schools”) for the past six months. Her latest report looks at the Luopu County No 1 Vocational Skills Training Centre, just one of the benignly named camps in which the UN believes that 1.1 million Uighurs, Kazakhs, Hui and other ethnic minorities are detained. Kuo also travelled to Chengdu to hear how the state is moving against Christian churches in a bid to stifle dissent.</p><p><strong>December’s presidential election in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was supposed to mark a turning point in the central African nation – the first democratic handover of power since 1960. </strong>It would also mark the end of the 18-year rule of Joseph Kabila. But while Kabila’s choice of successor, Emmanuel Shadary, lost decisively, it’s thought that the declared victor, Felix Tshisekedi, is the beneficiary of a deal with Kabila. That’s certainly what Martin Fayulu – another opposition leader – thinks. He has called the result an “electoral coup”. Leaders across Africa will be keenly watching what happens in DR Congo, writes our Africa correspondent Jason Burke. Some will be keen to find out the truth of the election. Others may be looking on enviously at how Kabila has managed to maintain a hold on power – if not elected office.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/jan/16/command-and-control-inside-the-18-january-edition-of-the-guardian-weekly">Continue reading...</a>ChinaReligionWed, 16 Jan 2019 09:59:17 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/jan/16/command-and-control-inside-the-18-january-edition-of-the-guardian-weeklyPhotograph: Illustration by Matt RotaPhotograph: Illustration by Matt RotaWill Dean2019-01-16T09:59:17ZChina expresses 'strong dissatisfaction' with Trudeau as countries sparhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/15/china-canada-trudeau-strong-dissatisfaction-detained-man
<p>Prime minister should ‘respect the rule of law’, a spokeswoman said after Trudeau criticised a Canadian man’s death sentence</p><p>China has expressed “strong dissatisfaction” with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/justin-trudeau">Justin Trudeau</a> after he criticised the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/14/china-sentences-canadian-man-death-drug-charges-robert-lloyd-schellenberg">death sentence</a> passed on a Canadian man convicted of drug trafficking, as the two countries continued to spar over detained citizens.</p><p>The Canadian prime minister should “respect the rule of law, respect China’s judicial sovereignty, correct mistakes and stop making irresponsible remarks”, a foreign ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, said on Tuesday.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/15/hostage-diplomacy-canadians-death-sentence-in-china-sets-worrying-tone-experts-say">'Hostage' diplomacy: Canadian's death sentence in China sets worrying tone, experts say</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/15/china-canada-trudeau-strong-dissatisfaction-detained-man">Continue reading...</a>ChinaCanadaJustin TrudeauAmericasAsia PacificWorld newsWed, 16 Jan 2019 05:14:56 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/15/china-canada-trudeau-strong-dissatisfaction-detained-manPhotograph: Martin Ouellet-Diotte/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Martin Ouellet-Diotte/AFP/Getty ImagesLeyland Cecco in Toronto and Lily Kuo in Beijing2019-01-16T05:14:56Z